“ suǒ yǐ ， zhè jiù shì tā biàn chéng shǎ zi de yuán yīn ？”
“所以，这就是他变成傻子的原因？”
"So, this is why he became a fool?"
nán gōng shì róng kàn zhe suī rán yǐ jīng chóng xīn chū xiàn ， dàn shì què rú tóng chī dāi xiǎo ér bān 、 bù tíng shǎ xiào de guān zhǎng gē ， shén sè yǒu xiē gǔ guài de wèn dào 。
南宫士荣看着虽然已经重新出现，但是却如同痴呆小儿般、不停傻笑的关长歌，神色有些古怪的问道。
South Palace Sir Rong looked at Gu Changge, who had reappeared but was behaving like a demented child, constantly laughing foolishly. His expression was somewhat strange as he asked.
“ bù cuò 。” xǔ bái diǎn diǎn tóu ，“ tā dà bù fèn shén niàn ， dōu chén nì yú jiàn dào lǐng wù zhōng 。 bù kěn guī lái 。 duì cǐ ， wǒ yě wú nài nài hé ……”
“不错。”许白点点头，“他大部分神念，都沉溺于剑道领悟中。不肯归来。对此，我也无奈奈何……”
"Indeed," Xu Bai nodded. "Most of his divine consciousness is immersed in the understanding of sword techniques and won't return. I have no choice but to let it be."
“ hāi hāi ……” xǔ bái bù zì jīn dì ké sòu le shēng 。
“咳咳……”许白不自禁地咳嗽了声。
"Cough... cough..." Xu Bai involuntarily coughed.
bèi wú liàng bì tūn shì le shēn tǐ de yī bù fèn ， tā míng xiǎn gǎn jué zì jǐ biàn dé yǒu xiē shuāi ruò 。 fǎng fú jīng qì shén bèi chōu chū le yī bù fèn ， zào chéng le zhěng tǐ de “ quē shī ”。
被无量壁吞噬了身体的一部分，他明显感觉自己变得有些衰弱。仿佛精气神被抽出了一部分，造成了整体的“缺失”。
Having had part of his body devoured by the Boundless Wall, he felt himself becoming weaker. It was as if a portion of his essence energy had been drawn out, causing an overall "loss."
“ sì hū gēn wǒ 【 chōu sī 】 shén tōng yǒu xiē xiāng sì ， dàn shì chōu sī gèng piān xiàng yú shēn tǐ bēng huài de guò chéng 。 ér zhè ， zé xiàng shì shēn tǐ de yī bù fèn bèi xuē qù ……”
“似乎跟我【抽丝】神通有些相似，但是抽丝更偏向于身体崩坏的过程。而这，则像是身体的一部分被削去……”
"It seems similar to my [Strand Extraction] divine power, but Strand Extraction leans more towards bodily collapse. This, however, feels like part of his body has been cut away..."
qǐng kè jiān yòu zài lǐng wù shén tōng de xǔ bái ， kàn shàng qù yǒu xiē lèng shén 。
顷刻间又在领悟神通的许白，看上去有些愣神。
In the midst of further comprehending divine powers, Xu Bai appeared somewhat dazed.
hái yǐ wéi shì tā zài wú liàng bì zhōng shòu shāng pǒ zhòng ， nán gōng shì róng dīng zhǔ dào ：“ méi shì ， nǐ yǐ jīng jìn lì le 。 guān xiǎo zi zì jǐ bù kěn chū lái ， wǒ men yě méi bàn fǎ 。”
还以为是他在无量壁中受伤颇重，南宫士荣叮嘱道：“没事，你已经尽力了。关小子自己不肯出来，我们也没办法。”
Thinking that it might be due to severe injuries sustained within the Boundless Wall, South Palace Sir Rong advised him, "Don't worry, you've already done your best. Gu Xiao isn't coming out on his own, so there's nothing we can do."
“ zài shuō ， yǒu tā wán zhěng de shēn qū zài ， yě zú gòu xiàng lǎo guān jiāo chāi le 。 nǐ qiě qù xiū xī ba ， jiē xià lái de shì qíng jiāo gěi wǒ le 。 wǒ dào yào kàn kàn ， miàn duì zhè chī chī shǎ shǎ de xiǎo zi ， guān xíng xiū shì fǒu néng gòu ài hù yī jiù 。” nán gōng shì róng dīng zhǔ xǔ bái qù xiū qì zhī hòu ， fā chū yī shēng lěng xiào 。
“再说，有他完整的身躯在，也足够向老关交差了。你且去休息吧，接下来的事情交给我了。我倒要看看，面对这痴痴傻傻的小子，关行修是否能够爱护依旧。”南宫士荣叮嘱许白去休憩之后，发出一声冷笑。
"Moreover, with his complete body, he is sufficient for Old Gu to be satisfied. Go rest now; I'll handle the rest from here. I wonder if Gu Xingxiu will still care for this foolish child," South Palace Sir Rong said with a cold laugh after instructing Xu Bai to rest.
xǔ bái lǐng mìng fǎn huí ， xīn shén què shǐ zhōng chén jìn zài wù dào shén tōng zhī zhōng 。
许白领命返回，心神却始终沉浸在悟道神通之中。
Xu Bai obeyed and returned, but his mind remained immersed in comprehending divine powers.
ér páng rén yě zhǐ rèn wéi shì tā shòu shāng de yuán yīn ， méi yǒu zài yì 。
而旁人也只认为是他受伤的原因，没有在意。
Others only thought it was due to his injuries and paid no attention.
huí dào tiān liáng chéng ， yī huǎng shí tiān guò qù 。
回到天凉城，一晃十天过去。
Ten days passed as he returned to Tianliang City.
“ shàn ， zhè shì xīn lǐng wù chū de shén tōng ， yǔ 【 chōu sī 】 xiāng duì 。 kě míng ……”
“善，这式新领悟出的神通，与【抽丝】相对。可名……”
"Good. This newly understood divine power is the opposite of [Strand Extraction]. It can be called..."
“【 xuē mìng 】。”
“【削命】。”
"[Life Snatching]."
xǔ bái zì dùn wù zhōng qīng xǐng guò lái ， shuāng yǎn shǎn guò yī dào jīng guāng ， cháo zhe wū wài tou dǐng lù guò de fēi niǎo wàng qù 。
许白自顿悟中清醒过来，双眼闪过一道精光，朝着屋外头顶路过的飞鸟望去。
Xu Bai, having awakened from his enlightenment, his eyes flashing with a sharp light, looked at a flying bird passing overhead.
háo wú zhēng zhào de ， nà zhǐ bèi xǔ bái shì xiàn suǒ dìng de fēi niǎo ， hǎo sì shī qù le kòng zhì yì bān ， hū de cóng kōng zhōng zhuì luò 。
毫无征兆的，那只被许白视线锁定的飞鸟，好似失去了控制一般，忽的从空中坠落。
Without warning, the bird that Xu Bai's gaze had locked onto suddenly lost control and plummeted from the sky. After flapping its wings several times, it managed to recover in mid-air.
jiē lián pū shān chì bǎng ， cái zài bàn kōng zhōng miǎn qiǎng huī fù 。
接连扑扇翅膀，才在半空中勉强恢复。
However, compared to before, its flight seemed much slower.
zhǐ shì bǐ qǐ xiān qián ， sì hū fēi xíng de sù dù màn le xǔ duō 。
只是比起先前，似乎飞行的速度慢了许多。
Xu Bai withdrew his gaze with satisfaction.
xǔ bái mǎn yì de shōu huí mù guāng 。
许白满意的收回目光。
"Silently snatching away a living being's life. More concealed than Strand Extraction when casting; can be instantly performed without others noticing, only feeling a sudden decline."
“ wú xíng zhī jiān ， xuē qù shēng líng zhī mìng 。 bǐ qǐ chōu sī ， shī fǎ gèng jiā yǐn bì 。 ér qiě kě shùn jiān shī zhǎn ， páng rén nán yǐ chá jué ， zhǐ huì jué de wú yuán wú gù shēn tǐ xiàn rù shuāi ruò 。”
“无形之间，削去生灵之命。比起抽丝，施法更加隐蔽。而且可瞬间施展，旁人难以察觉，只会觉得无缘无故身体陷入衰弱。”
"It can also be used together with [Strand Extraction], causing internal and external collapse simultaneously. One can quickly see the rise and fall of life and death."
“ gèng kě yǔ 【 chōu sī 】 yì qǐ shǐ yòng ， nèi wài qí bēng 。 qǐng kè jiān biàn kě jiào rén shēng sǐ dào xiāo 。”
“更可与【抽丝】一起使用，内外齐崩。顷刻间便可叫人生死道消。”
"Combining both, it can be named [Strand Extraction and Life Snatching]."
“ èr zhě hé zhī ， kě míng 【 chōu sī xuē mìng 】。”
“二者合之，可名【抽丝削命】。”
...
……
……
Xu Bai exhaled deeply and slowly rose.
xǔ bái zhǎng shū yì kǒu qì ， huǎn huǎn qǐ shēn 。
许白长舒一口气，缓缓起身。
With a weapon in hand, one's heart becomes more inclined to kill. With his divine power further advanced, Xu Bai suddenly had the urge to test it out on someone.
suǒ wèi shēn huái lì qì 、 shā xīn zì qǐ 。 shén tōng gèng jìn yí bù ， xǔ bái xīn zhōng chà nà fú xiàn chū yào zhǎo rén shì yàn yī fān de xiǎng fǎ 。
所谓身怀利器、杀心自起。神通更进一步，许白心中刹那浮现出要找人试验一番的想法。
But before he could act on this desire, it vanished on its own.
dàn hěn kuài ， bù děng tā fù zhū xíng dòng 。
但很快，不等他付诸行动。
Xu Bai's gaze sharpened as he sensed something unusual.
zhè yù niàn biàn zì xíng xiāo sàn wú zōng le 。
这欲念便自行消散无踪了。
After all, this clone hadn't practiced the Xuanhuang Immortal Heart Spell. If the main body had such thoughts, they would take some time to resolve.
xǔ bái mù guāng yī níng ， chá jué dào le bù tóng xún cháng de dì fāng 。
许白目光一凝，察觉到了不同寻常的地方。
But now...
yào zhī dào ， zhè jù fēn shēn kě méi yǒu xiū xíng xuán huáng xiān xīn zhòu 。 rú guǒ shì běn zūn dàn shēng le cǐ zhǒng xiǎng fǎ ， dìng rán yào hào fèi yī duàn shí jiān ， cái néng jiāng qí huà jiě 。
要知道，这具分身可没有修行玄黄仙心咒。如果是本尊诞生了此种想法，定然要耗费一段时间，才能将其化解。
Recalling Gu Changge's scene of dying for enlightenment in the Boundless Wall just recently, Xu Bai felt a mix of pity and admiration.
dàn cǐ kè ……
但此刻……
This was impossible on his main body.
xǔ bái yòu xiǎng dào le bù jiǔ qián zài wú liàng bì zhōng ， kàn jiàn guān zhǎng gē níng sǐ ér wù dào de chǎng jǐng hòu ， xīn zhōng jìng rán shēng qǐ lián mǐn 、 gǎn tàn de qíng xù 。
许白又想到了不久前在无量壁中，看见关长歌宁死而悟道的场景后，心中竟然升起怜悯、感叹的情绪。
With Li Fan's nature, he would only think that Gu Changge had taken a path to death out of ignorance.
zhè zài běn zūn shēn shàng ， shì gēn běn bù kě néng chū xiàn de 。
这在本尊身上，是根本不可能出现的。
"Is it due to this body?" Xu Bai narrowed his eyes.
yǐ lǐ fán de xīn xìng ， zhǐ huì rèn wéi guān zhǎng gē zì xún qǔ sǐ zhī dào 、 bù zhī suǒ wèi 。
以李凡的心性，只会认为关长歌自寻取死之道、不知所谓。
"Enjoying the benefits brought by extraordinary enlightenment while also bearing changes in temperament."
“ shì zhè jù shēn qū dài lái de yǐng xiǎng me ？”
“是这具身躯带来的影响么？”
"Mr. Xu Ke, Mr. Bai..."
xǔ bái shuāng yǎn mī qǐ 。
许白双眼眯起。
...
“ xiǎng shòu le yuǎn chāo cháng lǐ de dǐng jí wù xìng dài lái de hǎo chù ， tóng shí yě yào chéng dān xīn xìng zhī biàn me 。”
“享受了远超常理的顶级悟性带来的好处，同时也要承担心性之变么。”
With the Xuanhuang Immortal Heart Spell on his main body, the clone didn't pay much attention to this detail.
“ xǔ kè 、 bái xiān shēng ……”
“许克、白先生……”
After leaving the rest house and inquiring about Gu Changge's whereabouts, Xu Bai noticed something unusual.
……
……
Since South Palace Sir Rong had successfully brought him before them, Gu Xingxiu couldn't continue to provoke him.
běn zūn shēn huái xuán huáng xiān xīn zhòu ， fēn shēn bìng méi yǒu guò duō zài yì zhè diǎn 。
本尊身怀玄黄仙心咒，分身并没有过多在意这点。
But Gu Xingxiu's next actions shocked the crowd of Tianliang State who were expecting a show.
zài lí kāi zhè jiān xiū xī de bié yuàn 、 dǎ tīng le yī fān guān zhǎng gē shī zōng hòu xù 。 xǔ bái què shì zhù yì dào le yì diǎn fǎn cháng zhī shì 。
在离开这间休息的别院、打听了一番关长歌失踪后续。许白却是注意到了一点反常之事。
In front of all the cultivators including South Palace Sir Rong, Gu Xingxiu summoned his [Falling Star Sword], and with one strike, he killed Gu Changge, who was in a daze, drooling.
yóu yú nán gōng shì róng chéng gōng jiāng rén dài dào le miàn qián ， guān xíng xiū yě bù hǎo zài jiè cǐ fā nàn 。
由于南宫士荣成功将人带到了面前，关行修也不好再借此发难。
"Such an ugly sight; it's a shame to dishonor your mother's name. You should have died sooner; I'll come for you again in eighteen years," Gu Xingxiu said coldly before swinging his sword.
ér guān xíng xiū jiē xià lái de xíng wéi ， yě shì ràng yuán běn zhǔn bèi kàn hǎo xì de tiān liáng zhōu zhòng rén xià le yī tiào 。
而关行修接下来的行为，也是让原本准备看好戏的天凉州众人吓了一跳。
Golden sword energy surged as Gu Changge left no trace of flesh behind, vanishing instantly.
dāng zhe nán gōng shì róng děng yī gān xiū shì de miàn ， guān xíng xiū huàn chū 【 luò xīng fēi jiàn 】， zhí jiē bǎ chī chī diān diān 、 kǒu shuǐ dōu liú chū de guān zhǎng gē zhǎn shā 。
当着南宫士荣等一干修士的面，关行修唤出【落星飞剑】，直接把痴痴颠颠、口水都流出的关长歌斩杀。
The crowd from Tianliang State was shocked by Gu Xingxiu's decisive killing.
“ rú cǐ chǒu tài ， zhēn shì diàn wū nǐ niáng wēi míng 。 bù rú zǎo sǐ ， shí bā nián hòu ， wǒ zài qù xún nǐ 。” guān xíng xiū huī jiàn zhī qián ， lěng mò wú bǐ de rú cǐ shuō dào 。
“如此丑态，真是玷污你娘威名。不如早死，十八年后，我再去寻你。”关行修挥剑之前，冷漠无比的如此说道。
South Palace Sir Rong's face stiffened as he advised him to grieve properly.
jīn sè jiàn qì zòng héng ， guān zhǎng gē yì diǎn xuè ròu dōu méi liú xià 。 dāng chǎng huī fēi yān miè 。
金色剑气纵横，关长歌一点血肉都没留下。当场灰飞烟灭。
But Gu Xingxiu paid no heed and broke through the air, leaving immediately.
tiān liáng zhōu zhòng rén yě bèi guān xíng xiū de shā fá guǒ duàn suǒ zhèn jīng le 。
天凉州众人也被关行修的杀伐果断所震惊了。
Although South Palace Sir Rong looked worried, he finally got rid of the plague. He sighed in relief.
nán gōng shì róng yě miàn róng jiāng yìng ， quàn duì fāng jié āi 。
南宫士荣也面容僵硬，劝对方节哀。
What happened next puzzled Xu Bai.
guān xíng xiū què shì sī háo bù gěi miàn zi ， jìng zhí pò kōng ér qù 。
关行修却是丝毫不给面子，径直破空而去。
He had been a major contributor to solving this matter. However, South Palace Sir Rong seemed to have forgotten him entirely over these ten days, neither offering any rewards nor even consolation.
nán gōng shì róng suī rán miàn yǒu bù yú zhī sè ， dàn zǒng suàn shì bǎ wēn shén sòng zǒu le ， zhǎng shū yì kǒu qì 。
南宫士荣虽然面有不虞之色，但总算是把瘟神送走了，长舒一口气。
Instead, those who had merely accompanied and annoyed South Palace Sir Rong, Yan Yi'ao, and the others, received some rewards.
jiē xià lái ， ràng xǔ bái yǒu xiē kùn huò de shì qíng fā shēng le 。
接下来，让许白有些困惑的事情发生了。
Xu Bai thought about all the details of his actions in handling this matter, trying to figure out what went wrong.
zěn me zhe ， tā yě suàn jiě jué zhè jiàn shì de dà gōng chén le 。 rán ér nán gōng shì róng què shì xiàng bǎ tā yí wàng le bān ， shí tiān yǐ lái ， bú yào shuō shén me jiā jiǎng le 。 jiù lián wèi wèn dōu méi yǒu guò 。
怎么着，他也算解决这件事的大功臣了。然而南宫士荣却是像把他遗忘了般，十天以来，不要说什么嘉奖了。就连慰问都没有过。
After a long time, he finally understood.
fǎn dào shì zhǐ gēn zhe pǎo le yī quān ， hái lǚ cì rě nǎo nán gōng shì róng de yàn yì qiū sān rén ， dé dào le xiē shǎng cì 。
反倒是只跟着跑了一圈，还屡次惹恼南宫士荣的宴易秋三人，得到了些赏赐。
There were no mistakes; he had performed flawlessly from start to finish.
xǔ bái huí xiǎng zhe zì jǐ zài chǔ lǐ zhè jiàn shì guò chéng zhōng de zhū duō xì jié ， sī suǒ zhe dào dǐ chū le shén me wèn tí 。
许白回想着自己在处理这件事过程中的诸多细节，思索着到底出了什么问题。
But that was precisely the biggest problem.
xǔ jiǔ zhī hòu ， zhōng yú ruò yǒu suǒ wù 。
许久之后，终于若有所悟。
Knowing the danger posed by the Boundless Wall, yet still rushing forward without hesitation to test it.
méi yǒu shén me pī lòu ， cóng shǐ zhì zhōng ， biǎo xiàn de dōu shí fēn wán měi 。
没有什么纰漏，从始至终，表现的都十分完美。
In just an instant, he found a way into the Boundless Wall and brought Gu Changge back...
dàn zhè qià qià shì zuì dà de wèn tí 。
但这恰恰是最大的问题。
Too perfect.
míng zhī dào wú liàng bì yǒu suí shí kě jiāng xiū shì tūn shì de wēi xiǎn ， què yī rán yì wú fǎn gù 、 qiǎng xiān shì tàn 。
明知道无量壁有随时可将修士吞噬的危险，却依然义无反顾、抢先试探。
If this were done by a cultivator whom South Palace Sir Rong had personally nurtured and knew well, he would be delighted.
bù guò qǐng kè zhī jiān ， jiù zhǎo dào le jìn rù wú liàng bì de fāng fǎ 。 ér qiě hái néng jiāng gù zhǎng gē dài huí 。
不过顷刻之间，就找到了进入无量壁的方法。而且还能将顾长歌带回。
But remember, Xu Bai was an unknown who joined halfway through.
……
……
South Palace Sir Rong wouldn't simply believe that a few words from him would make others willingly submit.
tài wán měi le 。
太完美了。
So Xu Bai's all-out efforts instead raised suspicions.
rú guǒ zuò zhè yī qiè de ， shì nán gōng shì róng yī shǒu péi yǎng qǐ lái 、 zhī gēn zhī dǐ de xiū shì ， nà me xiǎng bì tā huì shí fēn gāo xìng 。
如果做这一切的，是南宫士荣一手培养起来、知根知底的修士，那么想必他会十分高兴。
"Smartness backfired," Xu Bai shook his head inwardly.
dàn bié wàng le ， xǔ bái kě shì shēn fèn bù míng 、 bàn lù tóu kào ér lái de 。
但别忘了，许白可是身份不明、半路投靠而来的。
But he didn't dwell on it.
nán gōng shì róng ， kě bù huì jiǎn dān rèn wéi ， píng zì jǐ jiǎn dān yī fān huà ， bié rén jiù huì xīn yuè chéng fú le 。
南宫士荣，可不会简单认为，凭自己简单一番话，别人就会心悦诚服了。
He just focused on doing his job diligently, complaining about the unfair treatment to his colleagues occasionally.
nà me xǔ bái rú cǐ qīng lì mài mìng ， fǎn dào shì yǐn qǐ tā de yí lǜ le 。
那么许白如此倾力卖命，反倒是引起他的疑虑了。
These complaints reached South Palace Sir Rong's ears and gradually dispelled his doubts.
“ yuán lái shì cōng míng fǎn bèi cōng míng wù 。” xǔ bái àn zì yáo tóu 。
“原来是聪明反被聪明误。”许白暗自摇头。
However, he still remained wary. Xu Bai pretended not to notice and continued as usual.
bù guò tā yě méi yǒu zài yì 。
不过他也没有在意。
Time passed swiftly.
jiē xià lái zhǐ shì zuò hǎo zì jǐ de běn zhí gōng zuò ， jīng jīng yè yè 。
接下来只是做好自己的本职工作，兢兢业业。
Two years later, in 22 AD.
zhǐ shì shí bù shí huì gēn tóng liáo xiū shì ， bào yuàn zì jǐ shòu dào de bù gōng 。
只是时不时会跟同僚修士，抱怨自己受到的不公。
In the Immortal Valley,
zhè xiē yán yǔ chuán dào nán gōng shì róng ěr duǒ zhōng ， ràng tā yí lǜ jiàn xiāo 。
这些言语传到南宫士荣耳朵中，让他疑虑渐消。
Li Fan's separation disc emitted a dazzling white light.
zhǐ shì réng rán méi yǒu wán quán fàng xià jiè bèi 。 xǔ bái zhǐ zhuāng zuò bù zhī ， zhū shì rú gù 。
只是仍然没有完全放下戒备。许白只装作不知，诸事如故。
Countless array talismans continuously appeared from the separation disc, rapidly changing.
shí guāng fēi shì 。
时光飞逝。
When the white light finally faded, Li Fan敏锐地察觉到自己的分离碟变大了。
liǎng nián hòu ， máo dìng 22 nián 。
两年后，锚定22年。
"这是九碟争雄过程中，第一个失败者出现了。" 李凡心中暗道。
cháng shēng gǔ zhōng 。
长生谷中。
还没来得及仔细研究升华后的分离碟，方再济兴奋至极的呼喊声突然响起。
lǐ fán shǒu zhōng de jiě lí dié bào fā chū yī zhèn xuàn mù bái guāng 。
李凡手中的解离碟爆发出一阵炫目白光。
“宗主，我终于研究出这终末石盘的具体用法了！”
yǒu wú shù zhèn fú zì jiě lí dié shàng bù duàn yǒng xiàn 、 jí sù biàn huà 。
有无数阵符自解离碟上不断涌现、急速变化。
同视之眼飞到李凡眼前，在他面前上下翻飞，划出道道金色线条。
"So, this is why he became a fool?"
South Palace Sir Rong looked at Gu Changge, who had reappeared but was behaving like a demented child, constantly laughing foolishly. His expression was somewhat strange as he asked.
"Indeed," Xu Bai nodded. "Most of his divine consciousness is immersed in the understanding of sword techniques and won't return. I have no choice but to let it be."
"Cough... cough..." Xu Bai involuntarily coughed.
Having had part of his body devoured by the Boundless Wall, he felt himself becoming weaker. It was as if a portion of his essence energy had been drawn out, causing an overall "loss."
"It seems similar to my [Strand Extraction] divine power, but Strand Extraction leans more towards bodily collapse. This, however, feels like part of his body has been cut away..."
In the midst of further comprehending divine powers, Xu Bai appeared somewhat dazed.
Thinking that it might be due to severe injuries sustained within the Boundless Wall, South Palace Sir Rong advised him, "Don't worry, you've already done your best. Gu Xiao isn't coming out on his own, so there's nothing we can do."
"Moreover, with his complete body, he is sufficient for Old Gu to be satisfied. Go rest now; I'll handle the rest from here. I wonder if Gu Xingxiu will still care for this foolish child," South Palace Sir Rong said with a cold laugh after instructing Xu Bai to rest.
Xu Bai obeyed and returned, but his mind remained immersed in comprehending divine powers.
Others only thought it was due to his injuries and paid no attention.
Ten days passed as he returned to Tianliang City.
"Good. This newly understood divine power is the opposite of [Strand Extraction]. It can be called..."
"[Life Snatching]."
Xu Bai, having awakened from his enlightenment, his eyes flashing with a sharp light, looked at a flying bird passing overhead.
Without warning, the bird that Xu Bai's gaze had locked onto suddenly lost control and plummeted from the sky. After flapping its wings several times, it managed to recover in mid-air.
However, compared to before, its flight seemed much slower.
Xu Bai withdrew his gaze with satisfaction.
"Silently snatching away a living being's life. More concealed than Strand Extraction when casting; can be instantly performed without others noticing, only feeling a sudden decline."
"It can also be used together with [Strand Extraction], causing internal and external collapse simultaneously. One can quickly see the rise and fall of life and death."
"Combining both, it can be named [Strand Extraction and Life Snatching]."
...
Xu Bai exhaled deeply and slowly rose.
With a weapon in hand, one's heart becomes more inclined to kill. With his divine power further advanced, Xu Bai suddenly had the urge to test it out on someone.
But before he could act on this desire, it vanished on its own.
Xu Bai's gaze sharpened as he sensed something unusual.
After all, this clone hadn't practiced the Xuanhuang Immortal Heart Spell. If the main body had such thoughts, they would take some time to resolve.
But now...
Recalling Gu Changge's scene of dying for enlightenment in the Boundless Wall just recently, Xu Bai felt a mix of pity and admiration.
This was impossible on his main body.
With Li Fan's nature, he would only think that Gu Changge had taken a path to death out of ignorance.
"Is it due to this body?" Xu Bai narrowed his eyes.
"Enjoying the benefits brought by extraordinary enlightenment while also bearing changes in temperament."
"Mr. Xu Ke, Mr. Bai..."
...
With the Xuanhuang Immortal Heart Spell on his main body, the clone didn't pay much attention to this detail.
After leaving the rest house and inquiring about Gu Changge's whereabouts, Xu Bai noticed something unusual.
Since South Palace Sir Rong had successfully brought him before them, Gu Xingxiu couldn't continue to provoke him.
But Gu Xingxiu's next actions shocked the crowd of Tianliang State who were expecting a show.
In front of all the cultivators including South Palace Sir Rong, Gu Xingxiu summoned his [Falling Star Sword], and with one strike, he killed Gu Changge, who was in a daze, drooling.
"Such an ugly sight; it's a shame to dishonor your mother's name. You should have died sooner; I'll come for you again in eighteen years," Gu Xingxiu said coldly before swinging his sword.
Golden sword energy surged as Gu Changge left no trace of flesh behind, vanishing instantly.
The crowd from Tianliang State was shocked by Gu Xingxiu's decisive killing.
South Palace Sir Rong's face stiffened as he advised him to grieve properly.
But Gu Xingxiu paid no heed and broke through the air, leaving immediately.
Although South Palace Sir Rong looked worried, he finally got rid of the plague. He sighed in relief.
What happened next puzzled Xu Bai.
He had been a major contributor to solving this matter. However, South Palace Sir Rong seemed to have forgotten him entirely over these ten days, neither offering any rewards nor even consolation.
Instead, those who had merely accompanied and annoyed South Palace Sir Rong, Yan Yi'ao, and the others, received some rewards.
Xu Bai thought about all the details of his actions in handling this matter, trying to figure out what went wrong.
After a long time, he finally understood.
There were no mistakes; he had performed flawlessly from start to finish.
But that was precisely the biggest problem.
Knowing the danger posed by the Boundless Wall, yet still rushing forward without hesitation to test it.
In just an instant, he found a way into the Boundless Wall and brought Gu Changge back...
Too perfect.
If this were done by a cultivator whom South Palace Sir Rong had personally nurtured and knew well, he would be delighted.
But remember, Xu Bai was an unknown who joined halfway through.
South Palace Sir Rong wouldn't simply believe that a few words from him would make others willingly submit.
So Xu Bai's all-out efforts instead raised suspicions.
"Smartness backfired," Xu Bai shook his head inwardly.
But he didn't dwell on it.
He just focused on doing his job diligently, complaining about the unfair treatment to his colleagues occasionally.
These complaints reached South Palace Sir Rong's ears and gradually dispelled his doubts.
However, he still remained wary. Xu Bai pretended not to notice and continued as usual.
Time passed swiftly.
Two years later, in 22 AD.
In the Immortal Valley,
Li Fan's separation disc emitted a dazzling white light.
Countless array talismans continuously appeared from the separation disc, rapidly changing.
When the white light finally faded, Li Fan敏锐地察觉到自己的分离碟变大了。
"这是九碟争雄过程中，第一个失败者出现了。" 李凡心中暗道。
还没来得及仔细研究升华后的分离碟，方再济兴奋至极的呼喊声突然响起。
“宗主，我终于研究出这终末石盘的具体用法了！”
同视之眼飞到李凡眼前，在他面前上下翻飞，划出道道金色线条。